Firefighters

On top of the dangers of fighting fires, research has connected wildland firefighting to serious diseases like lung cancer. Now, federal agencies are taking more steps to address those risks.

In other news, crews fighting the Iron Fire in Juab County may have been exposed to lead. And, target shooting is banned on wildlife management areas in over half of Utah's counties.

An advocacy group anonymously surveyed more than 800 wildland firefighters. Staffing woes and health worries were among the top issues.

In other news, crews made progress on the massive Cottonwood Fire but don't have the resources to put it out completely. And, the agency backing the Stratos data center project hired a new director.

Wildland firefighters face extreme conditions. For those who identify as LGBTQ, there are challenges beyond the fireline.

Thousands of firefighters are deployed in the Great Basin region, which includes almost all of Utah and parts of surrounding states.

In other news, Cedar City is getting a new fire truck that can fight both structure and wildland fires. And, Box Elder County dairy farms must test for avian flu after it was discovered in the area.

New research found that exposure to wildfire smoke increased the chances of bull sperm samples being discarded for quality issues. The study's co-author called it a small but significant result.

Despite being temporarily shut down last year because of federal layoffs, growth has stayed strong for the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer.

When wildland firefighters are on prescribed fires, they're breathing the same smoke and facing many of the same hazards found on wildfires — but currently, they don't get the same hazard pay.